Binding-post.



P. H. DAY.

BINDING POST.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s, 1913.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

FREDERICK HENRY DAY, OF DAWSON, YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA.

BINDING-POST.

Application filed September 3, 1913.

T a all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK HENRY DAY, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Dawson, Yukon Territory, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Binding-Posts, of which the following is a specification. I

The present invention appertains to 1mprovements in binding posts, the ob ect in view being to provide a device of this character capable of receiving and automatically seati one or more wires, cables, ropes, or the li e, in positive engagement with the post. To the end accomplishing this purpose, I employ a post on which are movably mounted clamping members normally placed under pressure, these members cooperat ng in such a manner that one or more wires may be quickly inserted therebetween, the shape of the members facilitating such entering action as well as insuring positive contact of the wire with the stem of the post when designed particularly for use as an electrical terminal. Furthermore, it is contemplated in my invention to provide the clamping members with novel retaining means for preventing accidental disengagement of the wire, or like member, from the post when strain is exerted on such wire, deliberate separation or relief of the pressure on the clamping members being required to accomplish this-result.

For a full understanding of the present invention, reference is to be had to the following description and to the accompanyin drawings, in which igurel is an elevation of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the clamping members alone. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a wire clamped in position. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the base of the binding post alone. Fig. 6 is a view showing a. modified arrangement of the parts comprising my device.

Referring to the drawings and specifically describing my invention, 1 represents the main support or structure to which the binding post is attached as by means of a screw or like fastening member 2 secured in the .base 3 of a suitable size and configuration.

At the top of the base 3 is located the stem or post 4,the lower threaded end 4' of which is screwed into an internal threaded recess 5 in said base. Movably mounted in Specification of Letters Patent.

-recess 10 of the next lower member.

Patented Mar. 16, .1915 Serial No. 787,869.

superposed relation upon and encircling the stem 4 are provided one or more clamping members, the number of which is governed by the use for which the device is designed, but, as illustrated in the drawings, comprising three such members, 6, 7 and 8, respectively. Each of the ring-like clamping members is formed with an annular flange 9, and beveled inwardly above said flange directly adjacent to an internal recess 10, which is somewhat cupshaped and forms the terminal of the stem opening 10 through the clamping member. Each of said members excepting the lowermost one 15 beveled or reduced beneath the flange also, the reduced portion extending into the The lowermost clamping member, on the con trary, beneath the flange 9, is formed with an integral, elongated ring or annulus 11, which is adapted to act as a gland, and to be received into a corresponding recess 12 in the base 3 upon an expansion spring 13. The top of the stem 4, similar to its bottom extremity, is threaded, and secured upon the stem is a removable cap or head 1 21 which retains the clamping members on the stem against the common tension member or spring 13, the latter being capable of exerting considerable pressure for obvious rea sons, more readily understood as this description proceeds.

In the use of the invention, the wire, rope, or other flexible member 15, as the case may be, is brought around the post between a pair of these clamping members, stress be ing applied to the wire which, by reason of the beveled or tapering surfaces of the members will sli into a recess 10 beneath the reduced portion of the superimposed clamp ing member, where it will be readily held. As will be apparent to those skilled in this art, the shape of the recess 10 is such that thereduced portion of the same, where it approaches the opening 10 insures that the wire will be pressed into intimate Contact with the stem 4, this being essential where the binding post forms an electrical minal. The foregoing illustrates the facility with which the member 15 may be connected to or engaged with the binding post but it will be understood that where this facility is not an essential requirement, or when the occasion so requires, the wire may be very easily inserted by depressing a lower member against the pressure of the spring 13, the diameter of which lower clamping member, or more correctly speaking, its flanged portion, being increased over that of its superposed member to permit of readily separating the same with the fingers.

In order to insure a positive clamping of the wire in place, the annular edge portion of the clamping members around the recess 10 is notched, as indicated at 16, most clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and the wire will interlock with these notches, thereby eliminating likelihood of the same being unwound from the post under action of any pull or stress thereon.'

In Fig. 6 I have shown a slightly modi fied' arrangement of the parts constituting the binding post, wherein the cap or head 7 14 is recessed, as shown at 12 to receive the spring 13, while the clamping member 6 having the elongated annulus or gland 11 seated against the spring, is inverted to permit the annulus to move into this recess.

The upper portion of the base 3 is rounded so as to facilitate, in cooperation with the contiguous reduced portion of the clamping portion 6, the reception of the wire into clamping position 'therebetween.

I have onlyin'ustrated in this modifiedform a single ring member 6 and it will be equally clear that I may, in the preferred form, use any convenient number of these members, it being necessary only to substitute a ditierent length stem when adding more, or reducing the number of the same. It will be evident that the binding post constituting my invention is especially adapted for use wherever there is more or less vibration such as in conjunction with automobiles, airships, motor boats and the like. When once the wire has been engaged and contact made, it is quite impossible to be broken unless force is applied at the proper point, there being no parts which would work or jar loose.

In the broader phase of the invention, the device may be applied or used in any place where a cavel, snubbing or hitching post is required, and in such case, it is within the purview of my claims that means may be employed to release the wire or rope from the post by depression of the spring placing the clamping members under compression, whether this means is the operators hand or a lever for accomplishing this purpose.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1, A binding post comprising a stem, a plurality of clamping members slidably mounted thereupon, and means for placing said members under compression, said members being freely movable along the stem against the compression means and of varying diameters to facilitate manipulation in separating the same to insert a wire'or the like.

2. A binding post comprising a base, a stem extending therefrom, a plurality of clamping members arranged in superposed relation and freely movable on said stem, and pressure means interposed between the base and the lowermost clamping member pressing all of said members in a direction away from the base, whereby upon move ment of said lowermost clamping member toward the base pressure on the superposed clamping members is relieved to permit insertion of a wire therebetween.

3. A binding post comprising a base formed. with an annular seat, a stem connected to said base, a plurality of wire clamping members mounted upon the stem one above the other in contacting relation, and a spring member disposed in the seat, the lowermost of said clamping members being received in the seat of the base afore said into cooperation with the spring and constituting an operating member ,for relieving pressure from the clamping members to permit of insertion of a wire between any of said clamping members.

4. A binding post comprising a base formedwith an annular recess, a stem connected to said base, a plurality of wire clamping members mounted upon the stem one above the other in contacting relation, and a spring member disposed inthe recess, the lowermost of said clamping members having a gland adapted to be received in said recess into cooperation with the spring and constituting an operating member whereby upon movement of said gland into the recess to relieve pressure from the separation of the members, and means tending to slide the members along the stem away from the base placing said members under compgession In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK HENRY DAY. \Vitnesses: I

\V. J. CHANcE,

A. H. SELLAR. 

